One Must Not Play At Second Violin Poem by Jonathan ROBIN

One Must Not Play At Second Violin



One must not play at second violin,
sway, pointless puppet dangling on display,
bend as and when it suits, soft putty, clay
moulded to set roles. This pulls heart's string
insultingly, embarrassing must ring,
left stranded, beached, expected to obey
each whim, humiliating interplay
expressing weakness in most everything.

It is not seemly to be seen to know
such slight consideration. Never stay
one moment longer, head high stride away
by daylight to new lodgings, up and go,
swift slam this sham disgraceful. Who bears sharp blow
can't glow, one day high price must piper pay,
success, self-confidence, events gainsay,
bartering hope for wear, must scope forego.

Why stumble, stranger, thrust out from joy's gates,
some 'thing' unworthy of the least respect,
in circumstances scarcely circumspect?
This parody of principles, translates
treason, sharing's reason repudiates.
Look at yourself, your motives deep inspect.
Look once again, if motives are suspect
this complicates love's idyll, desecrates.

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
25 January 1992 for initial version previously entitled Stranger 0541
(9 November 2008)
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